For what it's worth. I have what I guess is considered a novelty helmet. It's basically a beanie. For years now I've worn it with a visor snapped to the front and a baseball cap underneath turned backwards. Sort of a Sherlock Holmes type affair that keeps the sun out of my eyes and off the back of my neck. I wrecked my first 03 SERK. (I'm currently on #4) In the course of bouncing down Canadian Highway 405 outside of Toronto, the visor of the novelty helmet kept my nose and face off the pavement. With the ballcap underneath the helmet fits snugly and I keep the chinstrap tight so ------------ you be the judge. Was it better than nothing ?
B B
x2
Disclaimer: I am against any and all government regulations and laws when it comes to decisions that would only impact me, my family and, to some extent, my friends (they would be upset if I hurt myself). So no helmet laws, seat belt laws, no smoking laws, etc. Having said that:
I was riding a Yamaha on a rainy day and had to avoid an obstacle by turning left while applying the brakes (front and rear). I locked up the front brakes (no ABS and not linked) so the back of the bike came off the ground and I was thrown off the bike. Having played sports in high school I instinctively turned my body around while in the air and landed on my back. As soon as I hit the ground my head bounced off the ground and the bike landed on my right foot. I was wearing my rain gear over my draggin' jeans and leather jacket so no road rash. I had my helmet on and I did not have a concussion or any other ill effects. I was also wearing my HD boots so the bike did not crush my foot. Being more embarrassed than anything else I jumped back up and tried to lift the bike up quickly jump back on it and ride away somewhere so I could hide. I was limping for about a week except for when my wife was around because I didn't want her to remind me that riding a bike is just crazy and I should know better!

One can argue that the helmet did not really help much but I know that if my big head bounced off the blacktop I would at least have a nasty bump, which I did not. I do know for a fact that my right foot would have been crushed had it not been for the boots I was wearing.
I'm not telling anyone they should wear helmets, boots, leathers, etc. Just sharing my own experience.
Cam